How to Use Stamp Hinges


Knowing how to hinge stamps into an album is an almost essential talent for all stamp collectors. Stamp hinges are the cheapest, easiest and most popular method to hold stamps in place on album pages. Typically they are are tissue-thin, semi-transparent or translucent small slips of paper that are gummed on one side. This thin layer of gum is activated by moisture, either saliva or water (but not too much!) Stamp hinges are very inexpensive, especially when compared to stamp mounts, and are perfect for beginning stamp collectors and even seasoned collectors who want to mount used stamps.



Most are sold pre-folded and creased along the fold line. With pre-folded hinges, about a quarter or a third of the hinge is folded over onto itself so that the gummed portion faces out. The crease helps the hinged stamp lay flat on the album page. The shorter portion is the stamp side, and the longer portion is adhered to the album page. Today's stamp hinges are usually considered "peelable," meaning that their gum will adhere to the stamp and the album page with just enough strength to hold the stamp to the page, but will peel away from both if required and tongs are properly used.



Here's some instructions for how to hinge a stamp:



1. Moisten the shorter side of the hinge (the portion that's folded over) and gently press it against the center portion of the upper part of the back of the stamp. Then moisten a small portion of the larger side of the hinge down toward the end (away from the folded-over part). Don't moisten any other part of the hinge: if you moisten the entire hinge, you won't be able to flip the stamp up without damaging its top perforations, so just lick a small part of it. A tiny amount of moisture is all you need, and all you want.



2. Press the longer portion of the hinge onto the album page where you want the stamp to be placed. Hold the stamp away at a 90 degree angle while you're doing this.



3. Always guard against excess moisture on the hinges and drops of moisture falling on the stamp or the album page. If you use the proper amount of moisture you shouldn't have much of a problem with this, but make sure you remove any excess moisture immediately.




That's it - now you know how to use stamp hinges to mount stamps into an album. It actually sounds a bit more complicated than it is, and once you get the hang of it - which should only take a few times - you'll hinge like a pro!